Labour politician Andy Burnham won a key by-election on Friday, positioning himself to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party and ultimately the UK. Burnham defeated the hard-right Reform UK party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election in northwest England.

The veteran Labour politician secured nearly 25,000 votes, while Rob Kenyon of Nigel Farage's Reform UK came second with over 15,600 votes. "Everyone knows that politics isn't working," Burnham said in his victory speech. "Tonight could, just could, be the turning point."

Burnham also issued a stark warning to his own party: "I do say to my own party, this is a final chance to change. There will be no second chance." He called for building a new politics based on unity and hope, turning away from divisive politics seen in the United States.

Currently serving as mayor of Greater Manchester, one of the UK's largest cities and a traditional Labour heartland, Burnham now holds a seat in the House of Commons, making him a frontrunner to potentially topple Starmer.

The Labour Party under Starmer performed poorly in May's local elections, losing over 1,400 council seats across England, losing ground to both Reform UK on the populist right and the Greens on the populist left. Burnham is expected to be sworn in as a lawmaker as early as Monday.

Source: www.dw.com